Students’ Failure Must Burden You; Asantehene to Academia

Inasmuch as students’ success inspires educators in academia, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II believes their failure must similarly weigh down on them.

In a speech at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in the Central Region, he reminded them of their key role in producing a quality labour force to take over the affairs of the country to drive development.

“You are integrated into society. Stay in tune with this force as it is possible to be. You are the teachers preparing and mentoring the men and women who are taking control of our lives as political leaders, judges, economists, bankers, diplomats, military and police officers. As tutors, you are like parents. You have a lifetime performance in the lives of your students. As their success inspires you, so should their failures burden you.”

Otumfuo further affirmed that the university is a storehouse of all the knowledge and laboratory for research needed for nation-building.

“More than the storehouse of knowledge, the university is the laboratory for research, cultivation and discovery of answers to the social and physical needs of society. You will be aware of how much the works of universities inform policies that have shaped countries, revolutionized countries and societies through time.”

The speech was delivered on September 5, 2024, during an event to confer on the Asantehene his 10th honorary doctorate degree.